“His appointment as Bishop of Grantham was made on the basis of his skills and calling to serve the church in the diocese of Lincoln.

“He lives within the bishops’ guidelines and his sexuality is completely irrelevant to his office.”

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Welby: 'completely irrelevant'.

A Church of England spokesman called the fact that Chamberlain is gay “unexceptional”.

“The Church has said for some time that it would be unjust to exclude from consideration for the episcopate anyone seeking to live fully in conformity with the Church’s teaching on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline,” the spokesman said.

“Whilst Bishop Nick’s appointment is notable in the gifts and talents that he brings to the episcopate, it is wholly consistent and unexceptional in other regards given the testing of that call by those responsible for the selection process in each case.”

Chamberlain told The Guardian: “It was not my decision to make a big thing about coming out.

“People know I’m gay, but it’s not the first thing I’d say to anyone. Sexuality is part of who I am, but it’s my ministry that I want to focus on.”

He said the church was aware of his sexual orientation when he was appointed in November last year.

“I was myself. Those making the appointment knew about my sexual identity,” he added.

Mr Chamberlain said he adheres to church guidelines.

Ruth Hunt, the head of LGBT group Stonewall, said it was “brave” and “incredibly important” for the bishop to talk about his sexuality.

Incredibly brave and incredibly important for the Bishop of Grantham to talk about his sexuality. https://t.co/LEOOuHgPdQ